German far-right party aide held in China spy probe
By Jessica Parker in Berlin & Paul Kirby in London
Prosecutors have arrested a man working for a far-right politician on suspicion of spying for China.
They have identified the man as Jian G, 43, named by German media as an assistant to AfD MEP and European election candidate Maximilian Krah.
Prosecutors say he was arrested in the eastern city of Dresden. They allege he passed information about the European Parliament to Chinese intelligence.
Jian G is also suspected of spying on Chinese opposition figures in Germany.
A spokesman for the AfD party (Alternative for Germany) said the arrest was “very disturbing”.
Prosecutors said he had worked since 2019 “for a member of the European Parliament”, without mentioning Mr Krah, who is the AfD’s lead candidate in the European Elections which take place in the EU’s 27 member states from 6-9 June.
The BBC has approached Mr Krah for comment.
Jian G is due to go before an investigating judge later on Tuesday.
